A man has been charged with murder for shooting another man in the Walmart parking lot near I-29 and Barry Road on Wednesday, Aug. 21.
Taquiza V. Johnson – a former Kansas City Police Department officer – is accused of second degree murder and armed criminal action. Johnson is being held without bond. He has a court appearance scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 3.
“We allege this defendant shot someone in broad daylight in the parking lot of a major retailer,” said Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd. “That is equally tragic and disturbing.”
Johnson
The victim was later identified as 71-year-old Ronald Barnett of Kansas City.
According to court documents, video surveillance from the Walmart allegedly shows Johnson’s actions after leaving the store at 4:13 p.m. on Aug. 21:
While Johnson walked across the crosswalk after leaving the store, the victim’s vehicle drove past, and Johnson extended his arm toward the vehicle.
The victim’s vehicle reversed, stopped, and the victim exited the vehicle. Johnson turned and approached the vehicle. Johnson then walked away and the victim got back into his vehicle.
The victim then parked his vehicle, and Johnson approached the victim’s vehicle in his own vehicle. The victim was walking in the direction of the Walmart entrance as Johnson exited his vehicle.
The victim then walked toward Johnson as Johnson stood at the rear of his vehicle with his hands behind his back.
Two seconds later, Johnson shot the victim, who fell to the ground. Johnson then left the scene without trying to assist the victim.
Barnett was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:59 p.m.
Court documents indicate that crime scene technicians recovered a Speer .40 shell casing and located an apparent bullet hole in the hatch of the victim’s vehicle. A bullet was recovered from the rear passenger seat of the vehicle.
After a description of Johnson’s vehicle and its license plate was broadcast, Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers located the vehicle within eight minutes at an apartment complex. Johnson was taken into custody, allegedly wearing different clothes than at the time of the shooting.
A search warrant of Johnson’s apartment allegedly recovered clothing matching the description of what Johnson was wearing at the Walmart and a .40 caliber Glock handgun loaded with Speer .40 caliber rounds.
The case is being investigated by the Kansas City Police Department with the assistance of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. It is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Kait Donnelly and Joe Findley.